exotic mammals Flashcards
What is an exotic mammal?
Any mammal that isn’t a dog, cat, horse, rabbit or livestock
What is a generalist?
Adaptable to a wide range of environments/conditions, typically have a wide ranging diet. E.g. Norway rats, house mice
What is a specialist?
Adapted to one ecological niche, range limited to particular habitats, specific diets. Need specific conditions to thrive
What percentage of mammal species are rodents?
43%
Name the 3 suborders of rodent
Myomorpha - mouse-like
Sciuromorpha - squirrel-like
Cadiomorpha/hystricomorpha - cary-like (Guinea pig)
Which teeth in rodents are rootless and continuously grow?
Incisors
Give some examples of myomorph rodents
In the muridae family, mice, rats, hamsters and gerbils. In the dipodidae family, jerboas and jumping mice and dormice in the myoxidae family
What should you feed mice and rats?
Mix of seeds, nuts, fruit, vegetation, vegetables and insects
How long is gestation in a mouse?
21 days
What is the average lifespan of a caviomorph rodent?
About 10 years
Name some examples of caviomorph rodents
Guinea pig, chinchilla, degu, agouti
What kind of environment do chinchillas need?
Dry with no draft, not too hot, susceptible to heat stroke
What do chinchillas eat?
In the wild, dried grass and moss, in captivity, commercial chinchilla feed and good quality hay. Have a similar digestive system to rabbits but need a lot less energy
How long is gestation in a chinchilla?
111 days (long for size, born fully furred)
In chinchillas what is a useful indicator that they are in good health?
Have a curled up tail and standing with back legs apart
